Middle aged?

Yesterday was my birthday.   I was not impressed with the idea of being middle aged at all.  I discussed it with Blitz on the way home from taking Preston to work.  She was appalled.  She is not helpful and is no longer my confidant. 

Truth is, I spent the whole day thinking about it.    I don't know why, I am usually not one to be bothered by that sort of nonsense.  I was taught by wise people (thanks grandma Shirley) that we are here to do the best we can and not worry about things like age, because we cannot control the length of our life.  When it's your time, it is simply your time.  I know my views don't always jive with society.  I truly try.  But society wasn't raised by a bunch of Lang's.  It really did not make an enjoyable day despite it being the first Saturday in forever  I have not had a bus trip and I got to stay home (my favorite thing ever).   

I was still fretting in mass, I was so wrapped up in these thoughts I cannot even recall listening to the service at all.  After mass, the kids all went out together so that Jim could take me for dinner.   It was a sweet gesture.   I wasn't really feeling in the mood to go out and then I turned my car around.  There was the most beautiful rainbow.  God's promise.  Thanks for the reminder.  I will smack the Middle Ages on the butt just like I always have.  I will live my life to the fullest and love my family with reckless abandon because at the end of my life, I will have no regrets.  

Jim took me out for dinner at the Clinton store. The kids had a great time making fun of that one.  "You want a birthday dinner from a gas station?"   The Clinton store is not a gas station.  It is an old fashioned mom and pop store that sells tobacco, bait, marshmallows and for some odd reason, onions.  They have a tiny back room where they can literally seat 12 people and they serve awesome food.  Jim and I both really enjoyed our steak!  I even had a birthday beer, which I did not enjoy because I sometimes forget I hate beer.  :).  Bring on the Middle Ages.  I am ready!  

Ugly

Cameron's team traveled to Hayden last night. They did not have a good night.  I know that the boys were disappointed because I heard them talking on the bus on the way home.  I have to say though, that although upset, they were quick to point out things that went well, and to be supportive of each other.  I am proud of them all.  

last game

Preston has his last game of his 7th grade season last night against the Prairie View Buffalos.   His team "smashed" them!   He played amazingly well!   I honestly am impressed with this boy and his ability to read the play, be where he needs to be, and then get the job done.  He had some amazing tackles considering he was outsized by quite a bit!  Never underestimate the quick little guy!  He had a fun season and is glad he played.  That is the most important part!   

My own little farm tour

Ok, so we aren't technically "farmers."   At least not by the standards my father would set for defining that term.  But we are making progress in our little dream of establishing a goat herd.  And now that we have them, I can't see raising anything else.   Oh, I know Jim still entertains the idea of raising a few cows and perhaps even some pigs, but if he was honest, he is just as smitten as the rest of us!  Who doesn't love a sweet, funny, rotten, hole in the fence finding goat?  It is an addiction.  

We are trying to sell the weathers that did not make weight at the fair.  They are growing nicely now that there is no pressure to make weight (of course).   

The broilers that we got to keep Marvin company are also getting big.  They have an upcoming appointment at Garnett.   I have been impressed with how this bunch grew.  I kind of wish I bought a few more.   

The turkeys are also getting close to being Thanksgiving dinner.  I do not profess to even begin to understand where we went wrong.  These are the only 2 left of the 12 we started with.   I am not sure if turkeys are something we will attempt again.  It was sort of heartbreaking to witness.  My friend told me the biggest problem was predators getting them.  That was not our biggest issue.  I don't even know what the issue was other than 10 dead for seemingly no reason turkeys.  Plus the fact that they bark and are friendly which makes Quincy want to keep them forever.  

For sure, I love that I get to live this life with my family.   We might not be "farmers" but it sure is fun to try!  

Kaw Valley Farm Tour

The little girls and I took in some of the farms on the Kaw Valley Farm tour today.   We love this event!   The girls love the alpacas the best!  They are soft and super cute! 

A highlight for me was the tour of the Scottish Highlander's Farm in Auburn.  I drive by this farm a lot, as we have several watershed lakes in the area.  I really liked having a reason to stop and get a close up look at these extremely cute cows!   We also tasted a 100% Scottish Highlander hotdog.   It was really good.  The people claim the highlander beef is 97% lean.  

I think the highlight for the girls was the Equine Rescue Farm.   They enjoyed petting the mini horses, and the 2 blind horses.  They also got to watch Duni the painting horse.  It was such a fun day!   I feel like if you have a chance to learn about agriculture, you should.   I love the farm tour! 

I like pictures

Saige and Harper got some school bus necklace crafts from Aunt Jeanne.  They had a great time making necklaces!  

Saige's teacher, Ms. Crumpton is amazing about taking pictures of the kids at school and posting them.   This makes me incredibly happy to get to peek into her days.  She is doing great at school and loves going.  Everyone already knows I like pictures.  Even questionable quality ones make me happy.  

And questionable quality is what you get when I take football pictures.   I enjoyed getting to drive the bus to Cameron's game last night.  I admit to being worried after saying yes and then seeing the threat of severe weather continually increase!   They played at Prairie View.  That town should be called Missouri/Oklahoma View because it sure feels like that is where you drove to.   

Cameron (#46) played really well!   Santa Fe Trail beat the Buffalos and I believe this makes them league champions (although I wouldn't wager money on it).  

We almost made it lhome when we found the severe weather.  I am thankful we only had to drive in the bad stuff for about 10 miles.   A year ago when I started driving the bus, I was extremely adamant that I would not be taking trips that were very far away.   I am finding that I actually enjoy driving and getting to know the kids a little bit.  That's not to say I wasn't extremely happy to get home though!  

A week of mayhem

We are in the middle of football season for 2 teams, have started basketball season for Quincy, have a billion 4-H things going on, are working hard to accomplish confirmation for P and Q next month, and basically have no time to breathe.  The end of the day, after the activities are done, is my favorite time of the day.  The time when we can sit and relax and visit with our kids.   More than about any other thing in my life, I enjoy my family.  The kids are all growing up fast and making adult decisions, learning to express their sometimes well thought and impressive opinions.  We are blessed.  

Saige is really, really loving school.  She is artistic and seems to constantly be coloring and drawing.  She drew these.  I ascertain from this that I roll my eyes a lot?